Drill feeding apparatus



5 She eis-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 26, 1954 Ill FlGll INVENTOR. JACOB E.FEUGHT FIG?) ATTORNEY June 24, 1958 J. E. FEUCHT DRILL FEEDING APPARATUS3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 26, 1954 64 FIG5 INVENTOR. JACOB E. FEUCHTATTORNEY J. E. FEUCHT DRILL FEEDING APPARATUS June 24, 1958 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 26, 1954 INVENTOR.

JACOB E. FEUCHT ATTORNEY United States Pat ent 2,840,347 DRILL FEEDINGAPPARATUS Jacob E. Feucht, Garfield Heights, Ohio, assignor to ClevelandRock Drill Division, Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Application November 26, 1954, Serial No.471,286 1 Claim. 01. 255-45 This invention relates broadly to rockdrilling apparatus,

but more particularly to an improved drilling apparatus especiallydesigned for either stoper or horizontal drilling where short overalllength of the apparatus and relatively long feeds are desirable.

One object of this invention is to provide a drilling apparatus with afeeding mechanism of the single power cylinder type, but arranged andconstructed in a manner whereby the maximum feed of the drilling motoris materially greater than that of the feed cylinder.

Another object of this invention is to produce a feed mechanism of ashort overall length but capable of a relatively long feed such asheretofore obtained with'feed of the telescopic cylinder type, theimproved feed mechanism being characterized by the use of a single powercylinder and piston unit, thereby resulting in a uniform feed pressuremaintained throughout the entire length of feed without resorting to theuse of pressure balancers orthe like needed to balance the pressure ofthe various telescoping cylinders.

These objects are accomplished by a construction free of complication,and by an arrangement of parts resulting in a compact unit which isstrong, durable and eflicient.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a drilling apparatus embodyingthe invention and shown in'a retracted position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the drillingapparatus in a fully extended position, while Figure 3 is a viewcorresponding to Figure 2 but shown partly in section to show details ofconstruction.

Figure'4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 44 in Figure1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 55 in Figure1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged end elevational view of the drilling apparatuslooking in the direction of the arrows 6-6 in Figure l and turned 90? ina clockwise direction.

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 7--7 in Figure 1and also turned 90" in a clockwise direction.

Figures 8 and 9 are cross-sectional 'views taken on line 88 in Figure 7,showing the throttle valve in diiferent positions.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 10-10 in Figure 7.

Figures 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views taken on line 11-11 inFigure 7, showing the throttle valve in difierent positions.

It will be understood from the following description that Figures 7, 8,10 and 11 show the throttle valve positioned during the drillingoperation, and that Figures 9 and 12 show the throttle valve positionedto cut off supply of pressure fluid to the feed cylinder and drillingmotor and exhaust the pressure fluid from the feed cylinder.

Referring to the drawings, generally designates a fluid actuated rockdrill or drilling motor of the percussive type well known in this art.Briefly it comprises a back head 21, a cylinder 22 and'front head 23secured together by side bolts 24. the front end, on which a piston, notshown, reciprocating within the cylinder 22 delivers impacts in rapidsuccession.

As shown in Figure 7, back head 21 is equipped with a rotatablecylindrical throttle valve 25 retained therein by a gland nut 27,through which extends the valve shank 28 having afiixed to its free enda valve operating handle 29. The throttle valve is provided with acentral bore 30 in constant communication with one end 31 of a pressurefluid conveying conduit 32, through a port 33.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the external wall of valve with the centralbore 30 through a radial port 36;

Within thercross plane indicated by line 88 in Figure 7,

back head 21 is machined to receive the screw threaded connection end 37of a flexible conduit 38, which end is in communication with the valvethrough a port 39. In the same plane is also located a vent'4ll whichleads from the valve to the outside of back head 21.

Within the cross plane indicated by line 1010 in Figure 7, back head 21is provided with a bore having slidable therein a spring biased plunger41 having'its outer end adapted to fit within either of two peripherallyspaced notches 42, only one of which is shown on the drawing, forholding the valve in two different positions. Within the cross plane.indicated by line li11 in Figure 7, throttle valve26 is provided with aradial port 43 affording possible registry of central bore 30 with apassage 44 through which pressure fluid may be supplied to the drillingmotor 20 for actuating same in the usual' formed with a cylindricalchamber 54 extending sub-' stantially the full length thereof and closedat its lower end by an abutment-engaging pointed end 51. The upper endof chamber is closed by a screwed in head 52 through which extends thepiston rod 53 of a piston 54 slidably mounted within chamber 50. Thispiston, which is of the single acting type carries one or more cupshaped packings 55 facing toward the lower end of the chamber, whichpackings are retained on the inner end of the piston rod 53 by afollower 56 and nut 57. Near its upperend, cylinder 49 has formed on oneside thereof and integrally therewith a longitudinally extending block58, which as shown in Figure 6 is provided with laterally spaced andlongitudinally extending parallel guide-ways 59. r a

Interposed between the drilling motor 20 and the feed cylinder 49, thereis an elongated sliding frame generally designated by 60, which isformed of two parallel laterally spaced channel members 61. The twochannel members are clamped against the ends of spacer sleeves 62mounted on cross bolts 63. As seen in Figure 6, the lower sides of thechannel members 61 constitute. guides 64 closely fitted within theguide-ways 59 of the feed cylinder 49 for guided sliding movementrelative thereto. Similarly the upper ends of the channel membersconstitute guides 65 closely fitted for slidable guided movement withincorresponding guide-ways 66 formed within the underside portion of theguide block 45. Near its upper end, sliding frame has fixed to itsguides 64, by bolts 67, a bracket 68 formed with a bore in which isfixed, by a nut 70, the reduced free end 69 of the piston rod 53.

On each spacer sleeve 62 carried by the end cross Patented Julie 2a, was

bolts 63 of the frame 60 71 having a taut flexible member or chain 72passing is rotatably mounted a roller over them with two portionsextending therefrom parallelly and longitudinally between the channelmembers 61 of frame 60, with the ends of the chain attached to theunderside of the guide block 45 between the guide-ways 66 by a clampingplate 73 and bolts 74. At a place equally spaced from its ends or itsconnection with guide block 45, chain 72 is also attached to the upperend of cylinder 49 or more particularly to a pad 80, rising between theguide-ways 5901? the block'58, by a clamping plate 81 and bolt 82. I

From back head 21, flexible conduit 38 leads to the lower end ofcylinder 49, where its threaded end connection 75 is secured in atboss76 and opens into the lower end of chamber 50. This conduit is longenough to assume substantially the position shown in Figures 2 and 3when the drilling apparatus is. fully extended.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that theguides 64of the frame 60 are slidably fitted within the guide-ways 59 of thecylinder 49 and together form a guiding connection between the frame 60and cylinder 59. It will also be understood that the bracket 68 forms adriving connection between the frame 60 and the free end of the pistonrod 53, thereby enabling the frame to move freely with the piston '54relative to the stationary cylinder 49. Similarly, thedrilling motor20is adapted to move longitudinally on the frame 60, the guideovays ofits guide block 45 being fitted over the guides65 of the frame to assureguided movement of the drilling motor on its supporting frame.

In the operation, when the apparatus is in the retracted position shownin Figure 1 and is held in that upright position by the operator, uponturning of the throttle valve 26 to the positions shown in Figures 8, land 11, pressure fluid supplied bythe conduit 32 into central bore 30will flow therefrom through port 36 and port 39 into conduit 38' andinto thelower end of piston chamber 50 of feed cylinder 49 through theconnection 75. In this instance, pressure fluid admited in the lower endof the cylinder will act on piston 54 to drive it upwardly, therebycausing upward movement of frame 60 through the guide ways 59 found thatby the present aggroupment of parts, their length as well as the lengthof the sliding bearings between relatively slidable parts, makes itpossible to obtain longer feed for the drilling motor for a givenretracted length of the apparatus, than heretofore possible with anyknown feeding mechanism of this type. Because of the arrangement of thepartsas above described, it is possible in the retracted position of theapparatus for the lower ends of the drilling motor and sliding frame 60to be substantially level or flush with the lower end of cylinder 49,while the upper end of the sliding frame is well above or beyond thecorresponding end of the drilling motor. In the extended position, thesliding frame 60 is well beyond the upper end of the stationary cylinder49, only a relatively small portion of its guides 64 remain within theguide-ways 59, while the front end ofthe drilling motor 20 is also wellbeyond the correof the apparatus, the sliding bearings or supportingmeans of cylinder 49 at the same rate of speed as that of the I pistonrelative to the cylinder. v I

Since chain 72 is attached to both the upper end of the stationary feedcylinder and the drilling motor 20, the frame 60 during its upwardmovement will, through its upper roller 71, act on the chain 72 toeffect sliding motion ofthe drilling motor on the frame at the same rateof speed and same direction as that of the frame 'on the cylinder andconsequently at twice the speed of the frame relative to the stationarycylinder.

ln the position of the throttle valve as shown in Figure ll, pressurefluid from central bore 30 is also free' to flow through valveradialport 43 into passage 44,

and therefrom into the drilling motor 20 for actuating same and causingimpacts in rapid succession to be delivered to the drill steel 25. I I

When it is, desired to retract the apparatus or lower the drillingmotor, thethrottle valve may be positioned as shown in Figures 9 and'12. In this instance, pressure fluid is cut off fromthe drilling motor20 by port 43 moved out of registry with passage 44. At. the same time,supply of pressure fluid is also cut'otf from piston chamber 50 bygroove 34 moved out of registry with port 39, and groove 35 connectingport 39 with exhaust or vent 40, thereby enabling exhaust of thepressure fluid from the piston chamber 50 and collapse or retraction oftheapparatus by gravity. By more or less complete registration of groove35 with ports 39 and 40, it is possible for the operator to control therate of speed at which retraction of theapparatus takes place.

While drilling apparatus of the type wherein feeding motion is impartedto the drilling motor at twice the rate of speed of the primary feedingelement, have been between the stationary cylinder 49 and sliding frame60 are close together within the upper end portion of the cylinder. Asthe apparatus is gradually extended during the normal drillingoperation, these two supporting hearing means, that is, the slidingengagement of block 58 with the frame and the bracket 68 connecting thefront ends of the frame and piston rod, gradually move apart to assumethe finalfully extended position shown in Figures. 2 and 3. slidingframe 60 are connected to and supported by the stationary cylinder 49,thereby affording the entire drilling apparatus to operate efficientlyuntil it reaches its fully extended position, without danger ofdistortion and with the assurance that the drilling motor 20 and itsdrill steel 25 willalways :be fed to the work parallelly to the centeraxis of the feed cylinder'to maintain the .best and most advantageousdrilling In a drilling. apparatus," a stationary upright cylinder.

havingi'ai piston slidable therein, an abutment engaging lower end forsaid cylinder, a piston rod extending from said piston throughtheupperend of said cylinder, means admitting pressure fluid within the lowerend ofsaid cylinder-for effecting upward movement of said piston androd, parallel guide-ways on the upper end portion .ofTsaid cylinder; anupright frame alongside of said cylinder formed oftwo parallel channelbars mounted backito back in spaced relationship, said bars forming afirst and a second pair of parallel guides extending the-full length ofsaid bars, said first pair being slidable within said guide-ways,a rigidconnection between the upper ends of said rod' and frame transmittingupward movement of the former to the latter, a drilling motor, parallelguide-ways on said drilling motor, said second pair of guidesbeingslidable within last said guide-ways, rollers between the ends ofsaid bars, and a flexible member betweensaid bars taut over said rollersand attached to said motor and the upper end of said cylinder wherebyupward slidable movement of said frame is transmittedto said motor at adifferent rate of speed from that of said frame relative to saidcylinder.

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,029,223 Curtis Jan. 28, 1936 2,055,520 Curtis Sept. 29, 1936 2,130,982Gar'tin Sept. 10, 1938 2,296,816 Curtis Sept. 22, 1942 2,704,203 FeuchtMar. 15, 1955 In this last position, both ends of the

